Norwich's first female Archdeacon installed

Article and image courtesy of the EDP:

The Ven Jan McFarlane made history for the Diocese of Norwich when she became one of just 12 female archdeacons nationally out of 112 in the Church of England.

And she told the EDP that she felt privileged to be chosen for the role but also acknowledged the pressure that came with breaking new ground.

The archdeacon shares with the bishop the pastoral care of the clergy and undertakes much of the practical, legal and administrative work in a diocese, including looking after buildings.

She said: “What is fantastic is I know the people so well because I have been in the diocese for 10 years and because I know the people it just feels a real privilege to be taking on the role.

“It is a role of offering support to the parish clergy and doing work on the ground and I know they are all great people and fantastic churches and congregations.

“And of course I am the first female archdeacon for the diocese so I do feel a little bit more pressure. It feels like it did 15 years ago when women first became ordained, when you felt you had to do things better.

“But I don't believe completely in positive discrimination in that I think the best person for the role should be chosen for the role and if the best person is female all well and good. In that sense I do think it's indicative of how far the church has come in accepting women as it does not feel forced at all.”

During Ms McFarlane's collation and installation the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, told the congregation that the word deacon meant servant and that arch was a point of pressure in a building as well as an entry point. He said Ms McFarlane would help people with their stresses and to find a way through.

Afterwards he said: “Jan has got a wonderful, practical turn of mind but is also wonderful with people.”

Ms McFarlane succeeded the Ven Clifford Offer as archdeacon after spending the past nine years as both communications officer for the diocese, a role she will continue, and chaplain to the Bishop of Norwich.